Good Gifts

12 Days of Christmas: Day One

"Keep on asking, and you will receive...Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you...If your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."  (Matthew 7:7, 9-11)


Good gifts. We all like giving them and receiving them. Are you an early shopper who has everyone on your list checked off by Thanksgiving? Or are you a Black Friday Weekend kind of person? Or are you like me, someone who waits until December rolls around, perhaps even putting it off until Christmas Eve when it takes an hour just to get out of the parking lot at closing time? (Obviously I'm not the only one!)

Did you know God also enjoys giving good gifts? In Matthew 7 Jesus says, "Keep on asking, and you will receive...Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you..." I wonder what He wants us to ask for? What have you asked for lately?  Is it something good? Do you believe He gives good gifts to those who ask?

In Psalm 147 someone penned these words, 'The LORD's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.' The word used for hope here means to wait with patience; to trust. It's not about hoping God's love is unfailing without any guarantee. It's about believing it and expecting it. Why does God give good gifts to those who ask? Because He loves us. Counting on His love is synonymous with fearing Him. In everything He does, He wants to leave us in awesome wonder of His love.

The question is, are we looking for that? Are we expecting it? Are we asking for the good things we truly need? Are we asking, seeking, and knocking? And most importantly, are we receiving?

I hear a lot of complaining, worrying, discontentment, and disgruntled comments these days from those who call themselves followers of Christ. It grieves my heart. Either God is not living up to His promises of provision, protection, and utmost care of His children, or His children are not truly looking to Him for that.

Consider the words coming out of your mouth today, your social media posts, your thoughts and attitudes toward the world and the people around you. What's behind your complaining, worry, discontentment, and disgruntled attitude? Is God letting you down? Have you asked Him for things you're not receiving? Or are you looking to others to meet your needs?

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father.  (James 1:17)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved